Wednesday, 31 July 2024

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

Georgie CROZIER, Jaclyn SYMES
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Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

 Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:06): (590) My question is to the Attorney-General. Attorney, 18-year-old Ben, a young Indigenous man, was outrageously bullied to death following his first shift on a CFMEU-run, Victorian taxpayer funded project. His mother Tammie said CFMEU officials visited her and tried to downplay the role of workplace bullying in Ben’s death. As the first law officer in Victoria, does this intimidatory action breach any laws?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:06): I thank Ms Crozier for her question. I echo the response that Minister Stitt gave yesterday. It was a tragic incident in relation to the unnecessary loss of a life, and my heartfelt condolences go to his family and his friends. I will say at the outset that any form of bullying or intimidation is not something that I condone. In relation to people that are subjected to such behaviour, I would encourage them to contact police, or indeed if it is on a worksite, police and the likes of WorkSafe. Ms Crozier, as the first law officer in the state, it is not my role, and it is actually inappropriate for me, to provide legal advice.

 Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:07): I was not asking for legal advice. I said, ‘Had they breached any laws?’ Attorney, have you spoken to the Victorian equal opportunity and human rights commissioner about investigating the CFMEU’s disgraceful treatment of Indigenous workers?

The PRESIDENT: Sorry, Ms Crozier, but I do not know if that particular organisation you asked about is under the minister’s remit. I will call the minister. The minister has the right to call a point of order if she wants.

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:08): Ms Crozier, I can assure you that my conversations with VEOHRC are always broad ranging and responsive to issues that affect the community, particularly in relation to vulnerable cohorts such as Aboriginal Victorians, and those conversations are regular.

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